Living with Monks...Chapter Three

Living with Monks...Chapter Three

Villa I Tatti

This can be short as there are no new monk stories to relate. The day
brought another interesting field trip. Apparently some years ago ,
Harvard received a bequest that involved a villa and grounds down near
Florence. This villa was the property of some Americans who bought  it
after 1900, restored it, purchased amazing pieces of art, and created
outstanding gardens.

To find it online, go to Villa I Tatti. It was supposed to be about
twenty minutes away which worked with the fact that our gas(diesel)
gauge said "empty". We thought no problem with the reserve fuel we
could get there and back to a gas station. Anyway, the intended
destination was actually about 45 minutes away and things were getting
tight!

We did, however, get there and had an amazing tour with an articulate
and humorous lady about my age who is an expert in art history. She
has been in Italy since 1968 and married an Italian. I think she's
been with the villa an inordinate number of years. One has to book
this tour way ahead of time, furnish names of attendees and basically
sign in blood that you won't attempt to photograph, much less steal,
any of the priceless art work ! Oh, and have a tie to Harvard or can
convince someone you are worthy to visit.

The gardens include an authentic 14th century garden, lovely floral
cutting garden and a formal parterre garden plus allees of cypress and
such. Outstanding in every way! Even an inclosed limonerie....a place
to put the lemon trees in the winter.

The villa is maintained to house the art work, of course, but is the
headquarters for the Harvard Fellowship students who come to avail
themselves of the library and facilities. Each student is a post doc
but may be doing self study in any subject that would be appropriate
for the Tuscany area.

Rider did, again, very well though his mother and I had to carry him
as no strollers allowed. We did have to take a short break to play in
the driveway with pebbles but that was to be expected.   

Gardens were lovely but Rider liked the yellow hose best.

                 

The real excitement was when we returned to the car and the dilemma of
no diesel, no GPS, no idea where to find a station, no speak Italiano
and everyone left us to our own devices. Lady Luck once again smiled
on us...we stumbled upon how to get the GPS to work and discovered we
were fairly close to a gas station. Nevertheless, I definitely
lamented that two adult men ( the two teachers in charge of the
program) left two women and a baby in fairly dire straits to figure
all this out. I know my husband is too much of a gentleman to allow
that to happen. This had a happy ending but it could have been a
disaster.

Nevertheless,  we arrived safely home, had dinner and Rider and I took
a long stroll until bedtime. We are on our last nights at Capitignano
and the sunset was particularly beautiful . I am thankful to have
enjoyed the last six plus weeks with Rider and Betsy in such an
idyllic setting. The memories will last a lifetime whether mine( which
will definitely be shorter) or Betsy's. We have had the pleasure of
getting to know such interesting and varied people. Giorgio and Maria,
the caretakers, live ( to all appearances) such a simple and fulfilled
life and are delightful. They have been wonderful to us! Each of the
other students have brought their own stories to the mix and will be
remembered in their own ways. Some, I'm sure, Betsy will stay  in
touch with and the others will slip away and be relegated to memories
only. Mark A has done what he can to bring some enlightenment to the
students. His knowledge of art history is prodigious  and his desire
to make the summer interesting and fun is unparalleled.  Serge, the
painting teacher, has done what he can. The students must take what
they can surmise from his instruction. It may not be what they thought
they would take away but one learns from every experience.  Such  is
the nature of those who meet in such a specific time and place.

The gang plus Mark and the mascot, Rider

My only regret is that I didn't have more time to spend with Lynn A.
In another time and place, I think we could have been good friends.
However, this wasn't to be about me but about Betsy and Rider and I am
fulfilled that goal is about to be met. How wonderful I have the time
and resources to help make this memorable event happen. I am thankful!

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